Plenty of solutions to reduce drinking water consumption

 Many consumers are not so aware of it, but the consequences of the drinking water shortage in the Netherlands are now noticeable. High time to reduce water consumption. Wildkamp offers solutions for collecting and reusing water in the garden.

"In certain parts of the Netherlands, it is currently impossible to build due to the drinking water shortage. In some areas, business premises are currently not even connected to the water mains," says Rudolf van de Velde, irrigation specialist at Wildkamp. "In 2030 we have to use a total of 20% less drinking water than today. This means that households in particular must reduce their consumption." In recent years, some water utilities already chose to lower water pressure in the summer to discourage people from filling their pools, watering the garden or taking long showers. Sprinkler bans were also in place in some regions.

Reducing household water consumption can be done in several ways. For example, by using water-saving shower heads and economical washing machines and dishwashers. But also in the garden there is a lot to gain, also knows product specialist Peter Blaauwgeers of Wildkamp. "If rainwater is collected in the garden, it can be used when needed. For example, by connecting a rain barrel to the gutter of a garden house. Then you can use that water later to water the plants." The watering plan for the garden can also be much more efficient, for example by dripping instead of watering.

Van de Velde: "But saving water can also go much further. In the Netherlands, we flush the toilet with drinking water and we also use drinking water for laundry. This is actually a waste, because rainwater is generally clean. If rainwater is collected and stored in an underground tank, it only needs to be filtered and can be used for various applications. Think for example of the outdoor tap, flushing the toilet or for a washing machine."   

Wildkamp supplies, under the brand Rawinso, a complete package of solutions to collect, store and deploy water elsewhere. For indoor application, it does stop at the pump. Then an installer will have to make the connections. Blaauwgeers: "We don't know yet who will take the lead in this, the gardener or the installer, but we do notice that people are becoming more and more interested in it. The government can contribute to this with regulations. In Belgium, for example, a m³ of water costs €7 and here only €1.20. That makes it much more interesting for Belgians to save water than for us. In addition, Belgium has regulations requiring water-saving measures in new buildings. Meanwhile, our government is also working on a bill to make households that use a lot of water pay extra taxes on this."

So there are plenty of opportunities for the green professional to capitalize on this. But he doesn't have to do that alone. Van de Velde: "We can provide garden professionals with advice from start to finish. If they come to us with a drawing, we come up with the concept. By collecting rainwater, you also prevent nuisance in the garden. Then you will drain it to another place, such as a wadi, infiltration crate or tank where it will be stored for reuse. That doesn't have to happen all at once, but can also be done in smaller steps." The enthusiasm is there, the two know. Blaauwgeers: "We have already organized knowledge events about this a number of times. We notice that the subject is very much alive among gardeners. They are interested in it and want to get started."